Laundry machine



Oct. 19, 1965 F. R. GRUNER 3,212,302

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

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F i g 2 ATTORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,212,302 LAUNDRY MACHINE Frederick R. Gruner, Molina, 111., assignor to Ametek, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 330,882 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to washer-extractors and particularly to an improved driving arrangement for the basket of a washer-extractor so that it can accommodate woolen articles as well as cotton items.

It is common practice to employ a two-speed motor drive for the basket of a washer-extractor, one speed rotating the basket at a rate in the order of about 43 rpm. and the other speed rotating the basket at a rate in the order of about 510 r.p.m., the former being the wash speed and the latter the extract speed.

When it is desired to wash woolens, a slower wash speed is required, thereby necessitating two wash speeds and a high extracting speed.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a washer-extractor having two was-h speeds and a single high extract speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which a separate motor for one of the slow wash speeds is provided.

Still another object of the invent-ion is to provide such a washer-extractor in which the separator motor is a single speed motor and drives the basket through a pulley on the two-speed motor with the latter motor tie-energized.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which a drum switch is provided for energizing the single speed motor and simultaneously deenergizing the two-speed motor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which the single speed motor and the low speed range of the two-speed motor can be reversely rotated.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which a reversing timer is provided for reversing the motor operations, and in which its effectiveness relative to the single speed motor occurs only when a predetermined water level is present in the basket.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a washer-extractor in which a temperature control is provided so that thermostatically controlled water is delivered to the washer-extractor when woolens are being laundered.

In one aspect of the invention, a washer-extractor may comprise a housing within which a perforated basket may be mounted on a shaft for rotation about a horizontal axis, which shaft is mounted in frame means such as A- frames or the like. The shaft may be belted through pulley means to a two speed motor adapted to rotate the basket at a slow wash speed of, for example, 43 r.p.m., and at a relatively fast extract speed of, for example, 510 r.p.m.

In another aspect of the invention, a separate, single speed motor may be mounted on said frame and it may be belted to a pulley on the output shaft of the two-speed motor such that it will rotate the basket at a slower speed than 43 r.p.m., for instance, about 21 rpm. This single speed motor is energized only when the two-speed motor is de-energized.

In a still further aspect of the invention, an electrical circuit may be provided for the washer-extractor in which .a manually operable drum switch or the like may be employed to substitute forward and reverse direction of the single speed motor for the low speed forward and reverse direction of the two-speed motor. Furthermore, the circuit may also include a reversing timer for alternately energizing the windings of the motor in the forward and reverse directions.

In still another aspect of the invention, the circuit may 3,212,302 Patented Oct. 19, 1965 "ice include means for energizing the winding in the forward and reverse direction as water is initially admitted to the basket during normal operation, and for preventing such energizing when woolens are being laundered until a predetermined amount of water is in the basket.

In still another aspect of the invention, the circuit may include means for providing thermostatically controlled water for the machine when woolens are to be laundered.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a washer-extractor to which the principles of the invention have been applied; and

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram for the washer-extractor shown in 'FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a washer-extractor including a housing 10 supported by frame means 11. Housing 10 is shown as cylindrical in form and it may contain a cylindrical perforated article receiving basket 12 fixed to a shaft 13 that extends out through the rear of housing 10 and is mounted for rotation in bearings supported by the frame means 11. Hot and cold water lines 13A and 1313 may be provided for admitting water to housing 10.

The frame means 11 may also support a two-speed electric motor 14 having a pulley 15 on its output shaft that is connected by belts means 16 to a pulley 1'7 fixed to shaft 13. The two-speed motor 14 may be capable of driving the basket at a slow wash speed of about 43 r.p.m. and at a fast extract speed of about 510 rpm.

Frame 11 may also support a single speed motor 18 that is connected to a pulley 19 fixed to the output shaft of motor 14 .by belt means 20. The arrangement is such that when motor 18 is energized and motor 14 de-energized, the basket 12 is rotated at a speed slower than the slow speed windings of motor 14 rotate basket 12. This lower speed drive by motor 18 has been found advantageous in washing woolens and other delicate fabrics.

The housing 10 may include a line 21 leading to drain which may be opened and closed by a squeeze type of valve of the type shown and described in Us. patent application Serial No. 236,643, filed December 9, 1962, in the name of Benjamin Alvin Buss.

Referring to FIG. 2, closing switches 22 and 23 with switch 24 closed energizes cycle timer 25. The switches in FIG. 2 that have half arrowheads designate switches operated by the cycle timer. With switches 26, 27 and 28 closed, as well as manually operable switch 29 in the solid line position, current flows from L through line 30, switch 24, line 31, switch 26, energizing drain close solenoid 32, closing to line L Also, current flows through line 33, TDR-l switch, switch 29 to reversing timer 34 as well as through switch 28 to the R relay thence to L The energizing of relay R closes contacts 1, causing motor 14 to rotate reversely at its slow speed for washing fabrics other than woolens.

Current also flows from switch 26 through line 35, through closed switches 36 and 37, line 38, switch 27, low level switch 39, switch 40, switch 41, energizing hot water solenoid 42. This admits hot water to the housing 10 and basket 12 until level switch 39 opens, stopping the flow of water. After a predetermined time of rotating basket 12 in a reverse direction, timer 34 opens switch 28 and closes switch 43, whereupon relay F is energized closing the F contacts, causing motor 14 to rotate in a forward direction for a predetermined interval when the reversal is repeated. The reversing timer may be of the type shown, described and claimed in US. ap-

3 plication Serial No. 302,210, filed August 14, 1963, in the name of Benjamin Alvin Buss.

When the washing operation has been completed, switch 26 is moved to its dotted line position by timer 25 but solenoid 32 remains energized until switch 37 is opened and switch 44 is closed. De-energization of solenoid 32 opens the drain line 21 and the water drains from housing 10. Simultaneously TDR relay is energized and after a predetermined interval, switch TDRl closes, energizing relay Hi, opening contacts Hi in the circuit for the F and R relays and closing the Hi contacts, energizing the high speed winding of motor 14. The energizing of relay Hi is shown as being controlled by a time delay relay, but it could with facility be energized by a pressure switch responsive to the level of the water in housing being low enough so as not to overload motor 14 when its high speed windings T T and T are energized.

When it is desired to launder woolens, a drum switch 45 is energized, moving the contacts therein from the solid to the dotted line position. Additionally, switch 29 is moved to its dotted line position and switch 41 is operated to open its lower and close its upper contacts.

With switch 26 in its solid line position, solenoid 32 is energized, closing drain line 21. Current flows through It is to be noted that whereas the forward and reversing of basket 12 occurred immediately upon admission of water to basket 12 during a normal wash, such does not occur when woolens are washed. Thus, as the water When the temperature of the water level rises in housing 10 and basket 12, low level switch 39 moves to its dotted line position, dc-energizing solenoids 42 and 49 and stopping the How of water to housing 10.

When this occurs, current flows through line 50, switch 29 (in its dotted line position), switch 28, relay R and closed contacts Hi. It also energizes reversing timer 34. Accordingly, relay R is energized, closing R contacts which now energize motor 18 to rotate reversely while motor 14 is not energized. This rotates basket 12 at a slower speed of about 21 r.p.m. which has been found to be particularly advantages in the washing of woolens. After a predetermined time interval, timer 34 opens contacts 28 and closes contacts 43, thereby energizing the F relay and de-energizing the R relay. Accordingly, motor 18 rotates forwardly. This reversing cycle repeats during the washing period.

The draining of housing 10 and energizing of the high speed windings of motor 14 for woolens follows the same pattern as for other fabrics as previously explained.

Although the various features of the improved washing and extracting machine have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the in vention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; and means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor.

2. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor; and means for preventing the energizing of said reversing timer means until a predetermined level of water is within said housing.

3. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said twospeed motor; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the-winding of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor; and means for thermostatically controlling the admission of hot and cold water into said housing.

4. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor; means for preventing the energizing of said reversing timer means until a predetermined level of water is within said housing; and means for thermostatically controlling the admission of hot and cold water into said housing.

5. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated meansfor opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor drivingly connected to the output shaft of said two-speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor when the two-speed motor is de-energized and the single speed motor is energized; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; and means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor.

6. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor drivingly connected to the output shaft of said two-speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor when the two-speed motor is de-energized and the single speed motor is energized; reversing timer for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed mot-or; and means for preventing the energizing of said reversing timer means until a predetermined level of water is within said housing.

7. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor drivingly connected to the output shaft of said two-speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor when the two-speed motor is de-energized and the single speed motor is energized; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor; and means for thermostatically controlling the admission of hot and cold water into said housing.

8. In a laundry machine, a housing; a basket having a perforated wall mounted for rotation within said housing; hot and cold water lines leading to said housing; solenoid valves for controlling the flow of water through said lines; a drain line leading from said housing; solenoid operated means for opening and closing said line; a two-speed motor connected to said basket for rotating it at a relatively slow wash speed and a relatively rapid extract speed; a single speed motor drivingly connected to the output shaft of said two-speed motor for rotating said basket at a speed slower than the slow speed of said two-speed motor when the two-speed motor is de-energized and the single speed motor is energized; reversing timer means for alternately reversing the energizing of the slow speed windings of said two-speed motor; means for substituting the windings of the single speed motor for the slow speed windings of the two-speed motor; means for preventing the energizing of said reversing timer motor until a predetermined level of water is within said housing; and means for thermostatically controlling the admission of hot and cold water into said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,056,833 10/36 Davis 68-12 2,706,899 4/55 Meyer 68-24 2,902,850 9/59 Sheffer 6812 3,013,421 12/61 Buss 68-12 3,122,009 2/64 Jarvis 6812 3,152,462 10/64 Elliott et al. 6812 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

W. I. PRICE, Examiner. 

1. IN A LAUNDRY MACHINE, A HOUSING; A BASKET HAVING A PERFORATED WALL MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITHIN SAID HOUSING: HOT AND COLD WATER LINES LEADING TO SAID HOUSING; SOLENOID VALVES FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER THROUGH SAID LINES; A DRAIN LINE LEADING FROM SAID HOUSING; SOLENOID OPERATED MEANS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID LINE; A TWO-SPEED MOTOR CONNECTED TO SAID BASKET FOR ROTATING IT AT A RELATIVELY SLOW WASH SPEED AND A RELATIVELY RAPID EXTRACT SPEED; A SINGLE SPEED MOTOR FOR ROTATING SAID BASKET AT A SPEED SLOWER THAN THE SLOW SPEED OF SAID TWO-SPEED MOTOR; REVERSING TIMER MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY REVERSING THE ENERGIZING OF THE SLOW SPEED WINDINGS OF SAID TWO-SPEED MOTOR; AND MEANS FOR SUBSTITUTING THE WINDINGS OF THE SINGLE SPEED MOTOR FOR THE SLOW SPEED WINDINGS OF THE TWO-SPEED MOTOR. 